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2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

507 reports with mileage · 131 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 159 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 114 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

56 crash reports13 fire reports32 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

52 reports
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62,000 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

9/ 09VIBRATING..TICKING NOISE NOTICED CAR TAKEN TO DEALER..TOLD DRIVE SHAFT IS CRACKED, CAR UNDRIVABLE, DRIVESHAFT ON BACKORDER..DATE OF RELEASE IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME 10/08 BRAKE ROTORS FOUND TO BE WARPED/DEFECTIVE..REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284515

73,200 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 EQUINOX WITH 73,200 MILES. PURCHASED USED/GM CERTIFIED 11/2008 IN ILLINOIS. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL SHIMMIED AND WOULD NOT BUDGE AS IF IT WAS STUCK. HAD TO PUMP IT MULTIPLE TIMES AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO HALT VEHICLE. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME "UNSTUCK" THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I …

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2005 EQUINOX WITH 73,200 MILES. PURCHASED USED/GM CERTIFIED 11/2008 IN ILLINOIS. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL SHIMMIED AND WOULD NOT BUDGE AS IF IT WAS STUCK. HAD TO PUMP IT MULTIPLE TIMES AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO HALT VEHICLE. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME "UNSTUCK" THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284423

88,500 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN TRYING TO STOP THE BRAKE GOES TO THE FLOOR. WHEN YOU STEP ON IT AGAIN THE BRAKES ARE FINE. THERE IS NO NOISE OR GRINDING COMING FROM THEM, AND NO BRAKE LIGHT LIT.THIS HAS HAPPENED 3X IN LAST 2 WEEKS. MADE AN APPT TODAY WITH MECHANIC FOR THURSDAY. JUST NOW THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT LIT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277536

55,600 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires

PLEASE NOTE, JUST SPENT $847.00 ON THIS VEHICLE, BRAKES, SERPENTINE BELT ,ROTORS,THERMOSTAT. THIS VEHCILE HAS BEEN A LEMON SINCE IT WAS EXPORTED FROM CANADA AS THAT WHERE IT WAS BUILT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273877

47,000 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT OVERPASS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED THE BR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A CRASH AND THE BRAKES FAILED. SHE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT OVERPASS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND LACERATIONS TO THE FOREHEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE LOT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, BUT THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10265433

18,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ANY ATTEMPT AT BRAKING RESULTED IN RAPID POUNDING. THIS WAS NOT THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER (O'KEEFE CHEVROLET, IPSWICH, MA) FOR INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SERIOUSLY WORN DOWN AND BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTO…

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AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ANY ATTEMPT AT BRAKING RESULTED IN RAPID POUNDING. THIS WAS NOT THE ABS ACTIVATING. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER (O'KEEFE CHEVROLET, IPSWICH, MA) FOR INSPECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, THE INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE FRONT DISC BRAKES WERE SERIOUSLY WORN DOWN AND BOTH THE BRAKE PADS AND THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAD SLIGHTLY LESS THAT 18,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS OUT OF THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY DUE TO THE ELAPSED TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED ANY WARRANTY CONSIDERATION FOR THE CAR. MY CONCERN WAS THAT THE BRAKE PADS WORE OUT IN A SHORT PERIOD OF MILEAGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT O'KEEFE STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO "LACK OF USE". NEEDLESS TO SAY, I FOUND THIS TO BE UNBELIEVABLE. I ASKED HOW THE BRAKES COULD BE WORN DOWN BY LACK OF USE. DO THEY DETERIORATE STANDING STILL IN MY DRIVEWAY? I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FURTHER EXPLORE THIS FAILURE. CHEVROLET'S ONLY RESPONSE WAS THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BRAKES FAILING AT LOW MILEAGE WAS IGNORED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AS SHE "WAS NOT TECHNICALLY TRAINED". MY CONCERN IN THE MATTER IS THAT THE BRAKES USED FOR THE 2005 EQUINOX WERE OF SUBSTANDARD QUALITY. THIS PLACE BOTH ME AND MY FAMILY IN A HAZARDOUS POSITION USING THE CAR. AT 18,000 MILES, YOU DON'T EXPECT A PROBLEM TO BE THE BRAKES. CHEVROLET HAS IGNORED MY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241803

35,000 miles · Aug 21, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE NOTICED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BEARINGS AND SHAVED THE ROTORS. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE NOTICED EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BEARINGS AND SHAVED THE ROTORS. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE STRUTS, SWAY BAR, AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES AT THE COST OF OVER $1,000. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS MADE OF PLASTIC. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REALIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10239206

55,000 miles · Aug 17, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES CARS SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238523

50,000 miles · Jul 25, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE PEDAL IN MY 2005 EQUINOX WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED MY FOOT TO BRING IT BACK UP AND THEN HAD THE HYDRAULICS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. EXAMINATION BY MY CAR X REPAIR SERVICE SHOWED AND E CLIP IS USED TO HOLD THE MEDAL BAKE ROD TO THE PLUNGER HAD COME OUT CAUSING IT SOMETIMES TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE OTHER PART. THIS COULD H…

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THE BRAKE PEDAL IN MY 2005 EQUINOX WENT TO THE FLOOR. I USED MY FOOT TO BRING IT BACK UP AND THEN HAD THE HYDRAULICS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. EXAMINATION BY MY CAR X REPAIR SERVICE SHOWED AND E CLIP IS USED TO HOLD THE MEDAL BAKE ROD TO THE PLUNGER HAD COME OUT CAUSING IT SOMETIMES TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE OTHER PART. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY AS YOU NEVER KNEW WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235756

2,400 miles · Mar 31, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKES FAILED AND WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH HIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURES INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE BRAKES FAILED AND WATER ENTERS THE VEHICLE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE CONTACT WANTS TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN ARBITRATION. THE MANUFACTURER CALLED THE DEALER, BUT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY SPEAKING TO SOMEONE. THE ENGINE SIZE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,300.

NHTSA ODI #10222972

Official recalls

1

04V302000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 30, 2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, 'THEFT PROTECTION.' AN IGNITION KEY PARK LOCK CABLE END FITTING WAS NOT FULLY SEATED ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER NAIL HEAD DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN PREVENT THE CABLE AUTO-SET FROM CORRECTLY ADJUSTING THE CABLE. AN INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED CABLE PREVENTS THE SHIFTER FROM LOCKING IN THE 'PARK' POSITION WHEN THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE KEY CYLINDER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING SHIFT LOCK WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS REMOVED. DEALERS WILL REPAIR VEHICLES THAT EXHIBIT THE SUBJECT CONDITION. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Chevrolet Equinox problems